The Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday advanced Jamieson Greer’s nomination to serve as U.S. trade representative, a role of outsized significance, given President Trump’s penchant for using tariffs as a bargaining tool with foreign nations.

The panel voted 15-12 to send the nomination to the full Senate, with all Republicans voting yes alongside Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island Democrat.

Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, Idaho Republican, said one day earlier that he expected Mr. Greer to be a successful advocate for U.S. interests.

“I am confident that Mr. Greer has the experience and determination to advocate successfully for American farmers, ranchers, workers and manufacturers,” Mr. Crapo said.

Mr. Trump is pursuing an aggressive trade agenda at the outset of his second term.

He is threatening a broad 10% tariff on Chinese goods and threatens to impose higher levies on Canada and Mexico if they don’t crack down on illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

Mr. Trump imposed a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum from all countries, and he plans to impose reciprocal tariffs on nations that tax U.S. goods, which could drag the U.S. and EU into a trade war.

During his confirmation hearing, Mr. Greer vowed to find new global markets for farmers and other U.S. producers and defended Mr. Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on U.S. neighbors to crack down on fentanyl trafficking.

Democratic senators had a cordial debate with Mr. Greer but sounded the alarm about tariffs, saying they could raise prices on consumers and disrupt contracts that constituents have with Canadian suppliers.

They said there are other ways to combat opioid smuggling without resorting to tariffs on friendly nations.

• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.